Teaching Notes

Lesson in the Psalms

The book of Psalms is divided into five books. The division of the psalms  are Psalms 1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, and 107-150. The closing verses of the last psalm in each collection typically contains some kind of doxology or ascription of praise to the Lord that serves to "tie off" that part of the book of Psalms. There are different types of psalms. Hymns, penitential, wisdom, royal, messianic, imprecatory and lament.

Hymn - writers praised the Lord and offered him thanksgiving for who he was and what he had done.

Penitential - express sorrow for sin.

Wisdom - related general observations about life.

Royal - focus on Israel's king.

Messianic - describe the Messiah, God's anointed one.

Imprecatory - call for God's judgment on the psalmist's enemies.

Lament - They typically containe three elements: bemoan one's condition, the psalmist confesses trust in God, and the psalmish usually ends with some kind of praise.

Now let's take a look at one of the psalms. This psalm is in the 4th book and is a hymn because it is a song that talks about the goodness of God. It offers praise.

Psalm 100

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his[a]; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

This isn't a long psalm it is only 5 verses, but it expresses to the reader the psalmist message. The psalmist wants the reader (listener because it was song) to understand something about God. Let's look at the points the psalmist wanted us to know:

* God is worthy of praise from all people.
* When you worship the Lord, you should do it with gladness.
*The people of God should sing songs that honor him.
*The people of God should have an understanding of who God is.
*The people of God were created and called by God. He formed us and he redeems us.
*The people of God should go to worship God with a thankful heart.
*God's love for his people will last forever.

I pray during this holiday month as you prepare for Christmas that you fill your life with music. Music that reminds you like the psalmist did of who God is. Go to worship him with a grateful heart and with gladness for the opportunity to do so. Remember who you belong to and that God's love for you is forever. I pray that you would also share this Good News with someone else.

Prayer: Lord help us during this month of December to tell everyone we meet about you. Help us to radiate the joy of the Lord in our lives so that someone else would want to know what is it that makes us different? Then we can tell them it is the light of Christ shining brightly in our souls. Help us bring the real reason for Christmas to someone this season, amen.